Saying Hi to the group

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

I am new here and am not sure that I belong. But I am hoping

that you can let me know if I am with the right group.

My sad story is that I think I have chronic pancreatitis which was

caused by one episode of acute pancreatitis from a pretty awful

emergency abdominal surgery. I know that this is rare, but that it

can happen and my last three years of life is consistent with

having chronic pancreatitis.

I have constant, pretty life altering RUQ pain that I manage with

darvocet and oxycodone 24 / 7. I woke up with this pain after

surgery in 2000. This pain is aggravated by eating - doesn't

matter what - even drinking water or smelling food will cause my

stomach to feel as if I have just been kicked by a horse (by a

clydesdale, in fact). Then about once a month I have attacks

which the GI doctor describes as " biliary colic " . I am going to

have an ERCP done this september with a sphincterotomy if

needed. So far my MRCP CCK has not shown any abnormalities

with my bile system, but I have come to understand that chronic

pancreatitis may not show diagnostic abnormalities in the early

stages. Lab wise - I have slightly abnormal to highly elevated

GGT, ALT, LDH and AST. My amylase and lipase have always

been normal except during my acute attack after abdominal

surgery. At the time, the doctor ignored the acute attack and said

not to worry about it and every doctor that I have seen since

(which is only two), has never mentioned that I may have chronic

pancreatitis - I have come to this conclusion on my own based

on many hours of research (I also have a medical background

so I do not jump to conclusions without a lot of empirical

evidence ). My GI doc initially diagnosed me with IBS but I never

felt that IBS is consistent with what I was experiencing (never

really had any altered bowel movements - anyways, not that I

really noticed. And I never thought that it could come about as

suddenly as mine did. He explained it as being a result of

having nerves damaged during the surgery and that it is not

uncommon to have just " painful " IBS without altered bowel

habits, hmmmmmm).

So my question is, am I with the right group? Are my

experiences similar to what others here are going through? Am I

able to offer valuable insight to others and are you able to offer

me support and advice?

Thanks for any responses, I am looking forward to meeting new

friends.

Laurie